For the second straight year, the Miami Dolphins have taken a defensive back from the Atlantic Coast Conference in the fifth round.

Last year it was Clemson safety Chris Clemons. This time it’s Maryland cornerback Nolan Carroll, who is coming off a broken right tibia and fibula in the second game of his senior season.

That’s the bad news. The good news is Carroll, who ran a 4.37 40 after his junior year, was able to bounce back and run a 4.42 at his Pro Day in March.

Carroll said the Dolphins haven’t talked to him about moving inside to safety, but he’d be up for it if they did. For now he’ll get a chance to replace valuable nickel corner Nate Jones, who left for Denver, and contribute on special teams.

Earlier in the fifth round, the Dolphins saw Clemson OLB Ricky Sapp (Browns) and Troy DE/OLB Cameron Sheffield (Troy) go off the board. They were believed to like both guys, but after taking Utah’s Koa Misi in Round 2 and Iowa’s A.J. Edds in Round 4, the need for OLB options has been addressed.

Carroll, voted a team captain at Maryland, continues the trend of Dolphins picks this year being upstanding citizens and good teammates. He is considered a physical defender, but his ball skills need work (no picks his final two seasons, just nine pass breakups).

He started just six games in college, but his family background is sterling. Dad is a senior master sergeant in the Air Force and his mom was a Lt. Commander in the Navy before going into politics. Jennifer Carroll is a Florida state representative from the Jacksonville area.

Oh, and Carroll has an aunt that works for the National Security Agency at Fort Meade.

So you might say it’s fitting Carroll (and his family) have been brought in with the same pick the Dolphins obtained in trading away Ted Ginn Jr. (and his family).

Pick Analysis: The Dolphins continue to upgrade their secondary. This kid had 11 career INTs. He’s an explosive hitter with good ball skills. One concern is that he misses too many tackles looking for the big hit. Needs to improve his instincts in the deep half of the field.

There’s the Safety in Reshad Jones that i said miami will pick up in round 4 but instead went in round 5 . Good tradeup to get him. Some of you done crying now ??? This has been an excellent draft !! . great job Ireland and tuna

Just getting to the party here……Reshad Jones – a steal finally.
The problem is we did not have to burn the picks. We could have taken
Jones when we took Nolan Carroll. I am almost positive.
What were th media (TV) saying when we took Carroll at that point.
I like what I am learning about him, but likely would have gotten him later still.
No?

Jones will compete for the FS position…he has ball skills. He can also rock some people. Great trade to get him. I see our front 7 as 2 deep and fresh on rotations. Our ST just got a LOT better. NOW….let’s pick up a return man, TE, and maybe a RB via undrafted FA’s!!!!
GREAT DRAFT

The face of this franchise just got another level tougher.
Nice under the radar draft. We are still on the uther end of the building from the candy isle.
I would certainly have to consider TE Dickerson at this point. Short or not.

Reshad Jones , steady contributor had 2 solid seasons starting but falls below the other the other top safety prospects because he lacks elite athleticism. Can be a big time ball hawking player. Big and strong , he loves to deliver big hits. A little inconsistent in diagnosing plays.He loves to jump up in run support.Lacks quickness to help in man coverage and tends to drift out of position in zone. Ought to be a better tackler considering his physicality.He needs to wrap up better. Shows the ability to improve.

Hughes is another Wake…didn’t need that.
Cody…fatter, more out of shape Soliai at this point…too much unknown.
Burnett…no problem with him…but no way in the 3rd. Jones has better value in 6th.
OL…nobody we could’ve gotten has as much upside as Jerry…not even close.
TE…I hear ya…could’ve gone that way around this range…but anybody picked here would be a prospect.
Nolan…any pick from here down is questionable in one way or another.

I think everybody is missing the ONE key element of any Tuna draft. Big, strong, physical front 7 guys…..PERIOD!!!

Odrick…called a “Steelers or Ravens” type pick….ditto for Misi. John Jerry, 6′6″ 330..MASSIVE AND NASTY.

NOBODY will be fresher or better in the 4th quarter than this group of front 7 players IMO.

THANKS TUNA!!! All hail the Trifecta!!!

Super Bowl in 2011 or 2012….

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About the author

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More